• The partnership strengthens METRO’s position as a B2B supplier in the fast-paced growing eGrocery market and thus contributes to METRO’s wholesale growth strategy
• As Košík’s key food supplier in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, METRO has become a 25% shareholder in exchange for granting full access to its sourcing capabilities and store network potential
• Expansion into additional Central and Eastern European markets through METRO’s and Košík’s collaboration is expected
• METRO confirms its sales and EBITDA adjusted outlook for FY 2022/23 and the mid-term ambitions

METRO and eGrocery specialist Košík started a close cooperation in the Czech Republic in August 2020. The wholesaler has provided a 170-square-meter area in its MAKRO store in České Budějovice for Košík logistics and offers an assortment of around 16,000 items for Košík’s eGrocery business. Later the concept was extended to MAKRO stores in Brno, Ostrava, Olomouc and Zlín. A similar cooperation was launched at the METRO store in Sofia (Bulgaria) in June 2021. Based on the successful cooperation so far, METRO and Košík have now agreed to intensify their collaboration.

In return for granting full access to METRO’s sourcing capabilities and store network, exclusive condition for the purchasing and logistics infrastructure, METRO has received a 25% stake in Košík. The stake can be increased to up to 30% if Košík expands its offering into other Central or Eastern European markets in cooperation with METRO.

"The agreement with Košík is in line with METRO’s sCore wholesale strategy and will contribute to our growth ambitions. We are strengthening and institutionalising our sourcing relationships with one of our key partners in the fast-growing eGrocery market. eGrocery businesses fulfill the function of local food supply, comparable to our core customer target group of traders, but instead of small stores supported by a digital platform and last mile logistics. Our role in this cooperation is exclusively that of a food supplier and infrastructure provider. Košík’s experienced management team will continue to exclusively manage the company’s consumer business, allowing our teams to remain fully focused on the wholesale business", explains Rafael Gasset, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of METRO AG.

 Founded in 2015, Košík is an online-only eGrocery business with offerings in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria which operates a large fulfillment center in Prague. Košík offers same-day delivery starting at 2 hours (full-range) and next-day delivery. The company serves currently 190,000 customers across the Czech Republic and fulfills around 64,000 orders daily. EC Investments (ECI) is the majority shareholder of Košík.